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  1. #1
    BPnet Veteran Icatsme's Avatar
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    1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    So I tried feeding my newly hatched (and shed) clutch of five last night. One of them ate a rat pinkie within an hour.

    I left rat pinks in overnight, no takers. Only one of the five has taken the first meal.

    My question is - What is the ratio that you have of hatchlings that feed the first attempt versus hatchlings that take a few rounds to get a clue?

    I had this problem last year. Only one of them ate right at the get go, the others had some issues.

    Is it me...or is it them that's the issue?
    Staci

    iherp...do you?

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    BPnet Veteran nixer's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    Quote Originally Posted by Icatsme View Post
    So I tried feeding my newly hatched (and shed) clutch of five last night. One of them ate a rat pinkie within an hour.

    I left rat pinks in overnight, no takers. Only one of the five has taken the first meal.

    My question is - What is the ratio that you have of hatchlings that feed the first attempt versus hatchlings that take a few rounds to get a clue?

    I had this problem last year. Only one of them ate right at the get go, the others had some issues.

    Is it me...or is it them that's the issue?
    i think its just the luck of the draw.
    last year i had 1 slow starter (shy)
    this year i have 4 that just cant seem to grasp the constrict part

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  4. #3
    BPnet Veteran JD Constriction's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    I've had the most luck using rat fuzzies instead of pinks (something with a good amount of fur on it) and attempting first feedings 1-2 weeks after their first shed. Using this method I usually get 9/10 (or better) to eat that first time.

    Hope that helps But as always do what works for you!
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    With my 1st clutch this year I had two eat rat fuzzies right away. The other four refused. After three attempts with rat fuzzies I tried mouse hoppers. All four ate right away.

    So you might try that. I wonder if the activity that the hoppers have over the fuzzies stimulates them in some way, or they may just be mouse eaters.

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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.
    John Vandegrift

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  10. #6
    BPnet Veteran JD Constriction's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    I've found that as well. I wondered if it didn't have to do with them being more jumpy and having a stronger odor with more fur?

    Something I've tried this year with bigger hatchlings (75-100g) is rat crawlers/pups (something with lots of fur that's fairly mobile). And that's worked out really well in terms of taking a rat first try.

    I actually haven't had to use mice at all yet this year *crosses fingers*

    Quote Originally Posted by pfan151 View Post
    You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.
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    BPnet Senior Member jglass38's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    Quote Originally Posted by pfan151 View Post
    You will get a much better ratio with mouse hoppers, but most will eventually break down and take a rat pink/fuzzy.
    Agreed. I have had the best success with hopper mice for the first meal. I do always try F/T first and I get about 60% started that way. The rest will eat a hopper mouse in the first couple weeks after shed.

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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    live hoppers for the first meal here as well. i wait around a week after their first shed to feed them so that their stomachs are nice and empty and they are ready to fill em up again. eventually switching them all to f/t rat fuzzies is no problems.

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  16. #9
    BPnet Veteran Icatsme's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    Hoppers next round it is then! Thanks for your input! I'm interested to see if there's any difference in feeding behavior.

    Quote Originally Posted by jglass38 View Post
    Agreed. I have had the best success with hopper mice for the first meal. I do always try F/T first and I get about 60% started that way. The rest will eat a hopper mouse in the first couple weeks after shed.
    Interesting on the F/T. I was wondering if anyone got hatchies started from the get-go with them. Thank you for sharing that tidbit.
    Staci

    iherp...do you?

  17. #10
    BPnet Senior Member jglass38's Avatar
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    Re: 1st Hatchling feeding - Ratio of eaters

    Quote Originally Posted by Icatsme View Post
    Hoppers next round it is then! Thanks for your input! I'm interested to see if there's any difference in feeding behavior.



    Interesting on the F/T. I was wondering if anyone got hatchies started from the get-go with them. Thank you for sharing that tidbit.
    No problem! Even when I bred rodents I liked to get hatchlings on F/T right away if possible. I feel like I've had pretty good success with it. This year I have gotten every hatchling so far onto F/T by their 3rd or 4th meal.

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